I am not sick – IGP Ochola refutes Police reports

The Inspector-General of Police [IGP], Martin Okoth Ochola has finally spoken out regarding his health condition, insisting that he is not sick, but rather fit enough to discharge his duties in the Force.

Ochola, who has been reported to be down with multiple ailments including; high blood pressure scoffed at the media for trivializing his personal health and making it a matter of public debate.

“I am as fit as fiddle. I am as energetic…” said the career Policeman.

This follows a couple of days’ media reports indicating that the IGP has been bedridden, following a decision by the Police forces to grant him sick leave due to bad health that was only deteriorating.

Ochola failed to attend the burial of his Deputy Lt. Gen Paul Lokech last month, delegating other officers, an incident that sparked off talk that he was seriously sick.

Ochola has reportedly snubbed several summons to Parliament to answer queries raised by the Legislators regarding Police Management and Operations.

Ochola says, he skipped a couple of State and internal events, because he has empowered a functional system he has created in the force, allowing them to work with no supervision.
Earlier this week, the Director for Medical Services in the Police Force, Dr. Moses Byaruhanga told the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs that, the career Policeman is bed-ridden with high blood pressure.

Now, Ochola has scoffed reports by his juniors saying, he is as fit as a fiddle and quite energetic contrary to the reports.

“I have a physician at Mulago National Referral Hospital and he checks on me. My health issues are between me and my physician. I have not shared it with anyone even in the police,” scoffed Ochola.

Ochola also disowned the Police’s Director of Medical Service and Joint Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen Jack Bakasumba, who reported that the IGP suffered from unstable blood pressure and other ailments.

“My health issues are personal and I have not even shared with anyone even in Police,” he confirmed.

Byaruhanga had told Parliament that the IGP has not been stable since the demise of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Paul Lokech, which prompted the medical department and his personal physician to advise him to avoid long meetings as a way to achieve health stability.

Ochola instead trashed this and told the media that he just had a break for few weeks, but returned to office on time, and has since been working diligently.

He says once his functional system works, he would be at liberty to let others perform on different levels including policy, tactical and operational levels.

At sixty-three (63) years old, IGP Okoth Ochola took over office from the embattled Gen. Kale Kayihura in 2018, whom he had deputized for over 10 years.

On assuming office, Ochola was praised as a sober and committed officer, who was viewed as one that would instill the lost professionalism, discipline, and sanity in the force.

Ochola has since had two deputies, Sabiiti Muzei and now the late Lt. Gen. Paul Lokech.

The post I am not sick – IGP Ochola refutes Police reports appeared first on The Cooperator News.

Ker Kwaro Acholi wants local leaders oriented on the Parish Development Model program

ACHOLI – Ker Kwaro Acholi (KKA), the Acholi Cultural Institution has appealed to the government to consider orienting local leaders if the Parish Development Model (PDM) is to succeed in the region.

In May this year, Parliament approved the implementation of the Parish Development Model, with activities rolling out in phases, including the recruitment of Parish Chiefs, setting up a Community Information System (CIS), training and establishing Parish Development Committees, as well as massive mobilization of the public both locally and nationally.

Rwot David Onen Acana II, the Acholi Paramount Chief says, with the failure of several government projects including; NAADs, NUSAF, among others, there’s need to psychologically prepare the local leaders who will be at the forefront of implementing the new project that will see the government investing Shs 100 million per parish for the next five years.

Speaking recently, President Museveni urged the National Resistance Movement MPs to approve a proposal to increase the funds from the current allocation of Shs 200 billion to Shs1. 9 trillion.

Acana says that cultural institutions must be included among those who are to receive orientation since most of them are key opinion leaders in the community.

Ambrose Olaa, the Ker Kwaro Acholi Prime Minister said that, already the cultural institution is engaged in a series of community projects and having members of the institutions along with local leaders oriented on the program will help in shaping the mindset of the communities towards embracing it.

According to Olaa, the people need to understand their role in the Parish Development Model so that they own the program.

Recently, the government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa said that local leaders such as Parish Chiefs will take the lead role in designing the community development agenda under the Parish Development Model (PDM).

https://thecooperator.news/parish-beneficiaries-to-lead-in-setting-agenda-for-community-development-planning/

Santa Okot, the MP for Aruu North constituency, Pader district says, with the increasing rate of corruption and misinformation regarding government programs, the Parish Development Model will also fail if the mindset of the targeted beneficiaries are not changed through mass sensitizations and community engagements.

“We have seen several programs either failing or struggling to succeed in the region, this has been mainly because there was no orientation from the initial stages of the projects. so, for this Parish Development Model to succeed, the government needs to orient the community members and leaders on their roles so that it is easier to monitor and account for the funds,” Okot explained.

Richard Todwong, the National Resistance Movement Party (NRM), Secretary General says, that the concerns of the cultural institutions and leaders will be discussed. He also rallied the local leaders especially those from the NRM party to disseminate information regarding the Parish Development Model.

The Parish Development Module has been adopted into the 3rd National Development Plan as a strategy for rural and socio -economic transformation. The parish will be the epicenter of multi-sectoral community development planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring and accountability.

The LC2 Chairperson and Parish Chief shall be responsible for political stewardship in the implementation of the parish model in their respective parishes with support from the sub-county and district technical planning committee.

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Kikuube RDC orders the arrest of police officers for acting unprofessionally

KIKUUBE – Several police officers in Kikuube district are in trouble over corruption and failure to carry out their duties professionally.

The accused police officers are; the Officer in-Charge (OC) of Kyarushesha police post, Yosia Kisimba and the OC Kasonga police post, Steven Mawa.

Others are, police officers attached to Kikuube police station.

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kikuube, Amlan Tumusime ordered the arrest and transfer from his work station of Kisimba and the arrest of Mawa. He also ordered for the investigation of other police officers from Kikuube police station.

The RDC’s orders come after residents of Bwera village, Kyangwali sub-county in Kikuube district sought his intervention over the continued misconduct of police officers in the area.

In the petition signed by more than 400 residents, the police officers at Kikuube police station and Kyarushesha police post were accused of being corrupt and unprofessional.

During a security meeting chaired by the RDC, in Bwera village on Sunday evening, Kisimba was accused of releasing suspects who were found torturing one of the residents, John Turyamureba.

According to Godwin Munara, the Chairman LC I, Bwera village Butole Parish, Kyangali sub-county, on August 19th, 2021, arrested a group of people who were accused of torturing Turyamureba but a day later, they were released without being charged.

It is alleged that the police officers connived with Pastor Living Kangenyi of Bwera Miracle Church to release the suspects on police bond.

It is alleged that the released suspects on the day they were released connived with the children and wife of the Turyamureba and killed the man whom they had earlier tortured. Turyamureba’s body was found dumped on a farm.

The suspects who included Stephanie Uwimaana, the wife to the deceased, Twekabe James and Richard Musiguzi, sons to the deceased, Samuel Mugisha, Alloys Habineza, John Mbabazi and Jackson Tushabomwe all members of Bwera Miracle Church were arrested after the death of Turyamureba.

After the arrest of the 7 suspects on 21 of August, 2021, they were detained at Kikuube police station; however, 6 of the suspects who included the children and their mother were released on police bond.

In their petition, the residents also accused Steven Mawa, the OC Kasonga of demanding Shs300,000 to carry out a post-mortem for the deceased (Turyamureba).

According to Munara, the release of the suspects and unprofessional conduct angered the residents and petitioned the office of RDC calling for his intervention.

He added that the release of the suspect is giving the residents sleepless nights fearing that the group may attack and kill another resident since the motive of killing a fellow resident was not known.

Munara says that police are not helping the local communities adding that instead of providing security; they (police) are fueling conflicts.

https://thecooperator.news/we-cant-fight-corruption-without-investigators-igg/

In his response, RDC Tumusime ordered for the arrest and transfer of the OC for Kisimba and Mawa from the police post and also ordered for the re-arrest of the suspects. He directed that the police officers accused of conniving to release the suspects be investigated.

“Such police officers are the ones tarnishing the image of police and the government, so the OC of Kyarushesha and Kasonga must be arrested and must make a statement,” the RDC ordered.

However, Daniel Kata Mugisa, the Kikuube district CID Officer explains that, the six suspects were released after one of the suspects, Jackson Tushabomwe confessed to having killed the deceased alone. He noted that Jackson Tushabomwe is currently detained at Masindi prison.

He asked the residents to provide police with more evidence and promised to re-arrest the suspects after investigation and getting enough evidence.

The OC Kisimba failed to defend himself and said that he was misled by Pastor Mugyeni and asked for forgiveness.

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Leveraging Ugandan food systems to attain SDGs by 2030

The Secretary-General of the United Nations will convene a Food Systems Summit in September, 2021 in a bid to accelerate the implementation of the Decade of Action to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The summit will awaken the world to the fact that we all must work together to transform the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about food.

It is a summit for everyone everywhere – a people’s summit. It is also a solutions summit that will require everyone to take action to transform the world’s food systems.

Back home, one needs to ask; is the Ugandan food system positioned to accelerate attainment of the 17 SDGs? Is it working for every one and every segment of society hence leaving no one behind? Is it working for the smallholder farmer? Does it pay a living income to the farmer and living wage to the worker in the farm? Is it nature positive and therefore provides for broader biodiversity concerns?

To respond to the above questions, in affirmative, would be a great distortion and oversimplification of reality because there is consensus at global and national level that the status of our food system is fragile, unequal, unattractive to the youth, propagates hunger inter-alia.

Therefore, the status quo is not acceptable! There is need for transformation to ensure that the food system contributes to attainment of 17 SDGs by 2030.This requires holistic system and use of integrated approach to food system transformation.

Consequently, we need to focus on food system productivity as opposed to agricultural productivity by emphasizing agricultural intensification and nature positive agriculture.

Apparently, food unites us all as families, cultures, countries and the whole world.

https://thecooperator.news/youth-challenged-to-promote-food-security/

Hence, government agencies, civil society, private sector must unite, around food for meaningful transformation.

One needs to note also that the failures in the food systems are across the entire food value chains and not only on markets.

It’s astonishing, to see that farmers who produce food for all people in the world, are at the same time wallowing in poverty!

The ingredients to transformational food systems are science, farmers experience, indigenous knowledge, innovation and investment, agroecology, postharvest handling, storage, stopping wastage, social protection (scaling up school feeding) inter-alia.

There is food for everyone, unfortunately, 1/3 ($1trillion) of the food produced globally is lost. Whereas the world population is about 7.7 billion, the food produced is for 12 billion people resulting into excess there by impacting negatively on the biodiversity.

Food systems needs not only to be resilient to Covid-19 but also climate change; it should also take care of human rights, fair income distribution and balance of power along the food value chain.

For a better food systems, farmers, government and consumers should act responsibly to have the food systems contribute to the attainment of SDGs.

Key challenges facing the globe including climate change, loss of nature and mounting inequality; are manifested more in the food systems. Hence, a call for decades of action with bold ambition and acceleration to improve food systems by the UN Secretary General.

Are there game changing remedies to transform current food systems?

Yes: strengthen regional and national trade, connect people to markets without middlemen by use of e-commerce, increase markets for farmers through local purchases, scaleup biofortification and fortification, promote inclusive value chains, provide financing to farmers, put resources, technology behind entrepreneurs, facilitate farmers to supply schools under school feeding program, realigning public spending to ensure access to safe, healthy and nutritious food, prioritize agriculture amidst limited fiscal space amidst Covid-19, promote one district, warehouse, factory initiative.

Fred Alex Ahimbisibwe – Rural Economist [ the writer of the article]

Ahimbisibwe.fred@yahoo.com

Microfinance Training & Advisory Services Ltd

Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country- wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

The post Leveraging Ugandan food systems to attain SDGs by 2030 appeared first on The Cooperator News.

Leveraging Ugandan food systems to attain SDGs by 2030

The Secretary-General of the United Nations will convene a Food Systems Summit in September, 2021 in a bid to accelerate the implementation of the Decade of Action to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The summit will awaken the world to the fact that we all must work together to transform the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about food.

It is a summit for everyone everywhere – a people’s summit. It is also a solutions summit that will require everyone to take action to transform the world’s food systems.

Back home, one needs to ask; is the Ugandan food system positioned to accelerate attainment of the 17 SDGs? Is it working for every one and every segment of society hence leaving no one behind? Is it working for the smallholder farmer? Does it pay a living income to the farmer and living wage to the worker in the farm? Is it nature positive and therefore provides for broader biodiversity concerns?

To respond to the above questions, in affirmative, would be a great distortion and oversimplification of reality because there is consensus at global and national level that the status of our food system is fragile, unequal, unattractive to the youth, propagates hunger inter-alia.

Therefore, the status quo is not acceptable! There is need for transformation to ensure that the food system contributes to attainment of 17 SDGs by 2030.This requires holistic system and use of integrated approach to food system transformation.

Consequently, we need to focus on food system productivity as opposed to agricultural productivity by emphasizing agricultural intensification and nature positive agriculture.

Apparently, food unites us all as families, cultures, countries and the whole world.

https://thecooperator.news/youth-challenged-to-promote-food-security/

Hence, government agencies, civil society, private sector must unite, around food for meaningful transformation.

One needs to note also that the failures in the food systems are across the entire food value chains and not only on markets.

It’s astonishing, to see that farmers who produce food for all people in the world, are at the same time wallowing in poverty!

The ingredients to transformational food systems are science, farmers experience, indigenous knowledge, innovation and investment, agroecology, postharvest handling, storage, stopping wastage, social protection (scaling up school feeding) inter-alia.

There is food for everyone, unfortunately, 1/3 ($1trillion) of the food produced globally is lost. Whereas the world population is about 7.7 billion, the food produced is for 12 billion people resulting into excess there by impacting negatively on the biodiversity.

Food systems needs not only to be resilient to Covid-19 but also climate change; it should also take care of human rights, fair income distribution and balance of power along the food value chain.

For a better food systems, farmers, government and consumers should act responsibly to have the food systems contribute to the attainment of SDGs.

Key challenges facing the globe including climate change, loss of nature and mounting inequality; are manifested more in the food systems. Hence, a call for decades of action with bold ambition and acceleration to improve food systems by the UN Secretary General.

Are there game changing remedies to transform current food systems?

Yes: strengthen regional and national trade, connect people to markets without middlemen by use of e-commerce, increase markets for farmers through local purchases, scaleup biofortification and fortification, promote inclusive value chains, provide financing to farmers, put resources, technology behind entrepreneurs, facilitate farmers to supply schools under school feeding program, realigning public spending to ensure access to safe, healthy and nutritious food, prioritize agriculture amidst limited fiscal space amidst Covid-19, promote one district, warehouse, factory initiative.

Fred Alex Ahimbisibwe – Rural Economist [ the writer of the article]

Ahimbisibwe.fred@yahoo.com

Microfinance Training & Advisory Services Ltd

Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country- wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

The post Leveraging Ugandan food systems to attain SDGs by 2030 appeared first on The Cooperator News.

Masindi Municipality Councilors question delayed disbursement of Shs 273 million to beneficiaries

MASINDI – Masindi Municipality Councillors have questioned the delayed disbursement of Shs 273 million meant for different groups engaged in different activities in the municipality.

The money was sent to Masindi municipality by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in July, 2021 under the Microprojects Program through the office of Bunyoro Affairs Minister.

During a council meeting at Masindi Municipality Council Chambers, the Councilors argued that their groups did whatever was required but they’re wondering why they are not receiving their funds.

“The group members engaged in farming expected to use the money to prepare for the second season. The season is ending but they’re are not seeing the money. No clear explanation is being given to them,” said Silver Asiimwe, the Male Councilor representing Bigando ward.

The Councilors’ complaints came about after Ronald Businge Kyomuhendo, the Mayor Masindi Municipality told the council members that a report compiled by the Community Development Officer (CDO) has discovered that some groups had files presented with intention to benefit but they were not in existence.

“According to my technical team, some groups are not on ground. It will be bad if we rush to give out the money without correcting the problem. I am requesting my Councillors to be patient as my technical team expeditiously correct the matter,” said Kyomuhendo.

But the Councilors faulted the technical team for going to do the verification without engaging the area Councilors who know the group members better.

“The groups have certificates of registration which were issued by Masindi Municipality Authorities. Why say that they’re none existent?” asked Asiimwe.

Amos Bandoho, the Councilor representing Isimba Ward noted that all beneficiaries and the groups are in existence, adding that the money should be disbursed.

“We have been giving these groups money. You know very well that they’re there. Give out the money as we do the verification later,” Bandoho explained.

Robert Akugizibwe, the Councilors representing Kijura Western ward blamed the technical people for not doing their work saying that the excuses the technical people gave were lame.

“All the files which were presented to the office of the Community Development Officer had the members and the group details. Why didn’t they trace them by that?” Akugizibwe asked.

Earlier on, Betty Kyomuhendo the Leader of Government Business in Council had told the members in her business report that as authorities at the Municipality, they decided that a technical team led by the CDO go on ground and verify all the groups before the disbursement of the money.

“The report is ready and any time from now the existing groups are going to get their money,” said Kyomuhendo.

Deo Kabugo, the Town Clerk Masindi Municipality said that the money came with guidelines attached saying that they should be properly followed before the money goes out to the beneficiaries.

“The groups should meet all the requirements needed. They should be with the minutes showing that they sit and they’re active. As an Accounting Officer, I am not going to release money to none existing groups. A thorough verification must be done first because this money must be accounted for,” Kabugo noted.

Masindi Municipality has been getting this money since the Office of Minister Bunyoro Affairs was created in the Office of the Prime Minister in 2012.

In July, the Minister for Bunyoro Affairs commissioned the disbursement of the funds at Masindi municipality headquarters.

She promised to follow up the money.

https://thecooperator.news/bunyoro-receives-shs-4-billion-as-affirmative-action-to-fight-poverty/

“I request the implementers to follow the guidelines to ensure that the money goes to the right beneficiaries,” said Jennifer Namuyango Kacha, the Bunyoro Affairs Minister.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

The post Masindi Municipality Councilors question delayed disbursement of Shs 273 million to beneficiaries appeared first on The Cooperator News.

Masindi Municipality Councilors question delayed disbursement of Shs 273 million to beneficiaries

MASINDI – Masindi Municipality Councillors have questioned the delayed disbursement of Shs 273 million meant for different groups engaged in different activities in the municipality.

The money was sent to Masindi municipality by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in July, 2021 under the Microprojects Program through the office of Bunyoro Affairs Minister.

During a council meeting at Masindi Municipality Council Chambers, the Councilors argued that their groups did whatever was required but they’re wondering why they are not receiving their funds.

“The group members engaged in farming expected to use the money to prepare for the second season. The season is ending but they’re are not seeing the money. No clear explanation is being given to them,” said Silver Asiimwe, the Male Councilor representing Bigando ward.

The Councilors’ complaints came about after Ronald Businge Kyomuhendo, the Mayor Masindi Municipality told the council members that a report compiled by the Community Development Officer (CDO) has discovered that some groups had files presented with intention to benefit but they were not in existence.

“According to my technical team, some groups are not on ground. It will be bad if we rush to give out the money without correcting the problem. I am requesting my Councillors to be patient as my technical team expeditiously correct the matter,” said Kyomuhendo.

But the Councilors faulted the technical team for going to do the verification without engaging the area Councilors who know the group members better.

“The groups have certificates of registration which were issued by Masindi Municipality Authorities. Why say that they’re none existent?” asked Asiimwe.

Amos Bandoho, the Councilor representing Isimba Ward noted that all beneficiaries and the groups are in existence, adding that the money should be disbursed.

“We have been giving these groups money. You know very well that they’re there. Give out the money as we do the verification later,” Bandoho explained.

Robert Akugizibwe, the Councilors representing Kijura Western ward blamed the technical people for not doing their work saying that the excuses the technical people gave were lame.

“All the files which were presented to the office of the Community Development Officer had the members and the group details. Why didn’t they trace them by that?” Akugizibwe asked.

Earlier on, Betty Kyomuhendo the Leader of Government Business in Council had told the members in her business report that as authorities at the Municipality, they decided that a technical team led by the CDO go on ground and verify all the groups before the disbursement of the money.

“The report is ready and any time from now the existing groups are going to get their money,” said Kyomuhendo.

Deo Kabugo, the Town Clerk Masindi Municipality said that the money came with guidelines attached saying that they should be properly followed before the money goes out to the beneficiaries.

“The groups should meet all the requirements needed. They should be with the minutes showing that they sit and they’re active. As an Accounting Officer, I am not going to release money to none existing groups. A thorough verification must be done first because this money must be accounted for,” Kabugo noted.

Masindi Municipality has been getting this money since the Office of Minister Bunyoro Affairs was created in the Office of the Prime Minister in 2012.

In July, the Minister for Bunyoro Affairs commissioned the disbursement of the funds at Masindi municipality headquarters.

She promised to follow up the money.

https://thecooperator.news/bunyoro-receives-shs-4-billion-as-affirmative-action-to-fight-poverty/

“I request the implementers to follow the guidelines to ensure that the money goes to the right beneficiaries,” said Jennifer Namuyango Kacha, the Bunyoro Affairs Minister.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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German government donates five garbage trucks worth Shs 1.8 billion to Gulu City Council

GULU – The German government has donated five garbage trucks worth Shs1.8 billion to Gulu City Council as it grapples with waste management and disposal.

A German Cooperation Agency (KFW) delivered the trucks to the City Authorities as part of their strategic plan for Gulu City’s waste management.

Alfred Okwonga, the Mayor of Gulu City commended them for the support which he says, will ease the collection and management of garbage in the city.

He explained that the donation will also provide jobs to the youths adding that about 15 drivers will be recruited to operate and manage the trucks.

Previously, a report by the Engineering Department indicated that the Council had only two garbage trucks that are in very poor mechanical conditions.

While 130 tons of garbage is collected daily, Gulu City is only able to dispose off 40 tons a day.

The Laroo-Pece Division Mayor, Geoffrey Otim revealed that the Division is due for the first reading of its draft by-law on waste management in October to protect the city from poor waste disposal.

He also noted that out of the Shs 3.6 billion budget for 2021/2022 financial year, waste management takes 25% of the budget.

https://thecooperator.news/gulu-city-inks-garbage-landfill-deal/

Margret Adoch, the Chairperson, Olayolong Market Vendors Association says, the market with close to 1,500 vendors is confronted with an irritating smell from rotten garbage.

While Adoch commended the donation of the garbage trucks to the Council, she called for regular collection of the garbage in the city mainly in the market places.

Patrick Oola Lumumba, the Division Mayor, Bardege-Layibi Division says, the Division is operating with challenges to manage the garbage and hopes to improve with the arrival of the new trucks.

Biodegradable waste in the city accounts for 76%, plastic 5%, metal 3%, polythene 7% and other demolition debris accounts for 9% respectively.

Gulu City Council authorities have inked a Shs 3.5 billion deal with the German Development Corporation for the construction of a garbage landfill in the city in an ongoing development.

The City has also been battling with poor sanitation related challenges and a 2019 Gulu District Health Department report found that 20,663 people got worm infections arising from poor sanitation.

The report further indicates that 29,866 suffered from skin diseases, 25,588 from Urinary Tract Infections while 24,606 got diarrhea in the year respectively.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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Youth parliament urges government on Covid-19 teenage pregnancies

KAMPALA – The Youth Parliament sitting in Kampala has passed three critical motions urging the government on matters of youths in regards to Covid-19 effects, livelihood and social-economic empowerment.

The House that sat Friday in the Chambers of the August House urged the government to prioritize the issues that have grossly affected the youths during the Covid-19 pandemic including teenage pregnancies, girl-child education and social entrepreneurship for the young people.

The motion was moved by Ruth Namutebi, who noted that there are lots of reports indicating high teenage pregnancies due to the closure of schools and other social amenities like churches, and recreation centers, due to Covid-19.

“When we talk about Sexual Reproductive Health and Health Rights, it is important to note that 25% of girls become pregnant by age 19,” she noted.

Namutebi added that defilement and rape cases have tremendously increased with manipulation, cross generational sex, and commercial sex as girls look for money to buy sanitary towels and other needs.

Multiple reports by Civil Society Organizations (CSO) have indicated glaring figures of teenage pregnancies, sex abuse and domestic violence due to the Covid-19 lock down, with Busoga leading the charge in the country.

The Youth Parliament also called on the government to facilitate the formation of safe spaces where girls can access health services, but also freely talk about issues of rape, incest and others that are regarded obscene in the communities they live in.

Another representative, Allan Webare, expressed concern why the men who abuse the girls are let scot free.

“Why do we all focus on the girl and ignore the culprits? The government needs to put up stringent laws so that the men taking advantage of these girls are brought to book,” he demanded.

He also added that the authorities also need to work on the girls’ mind-set that have been corrupted by the social environment in the communities they live in. Many have conceded to the talk that they cannot return to school, especially that they are consumed into parenting challenges and health complications like fistula.

“The government should work out ways to address this with many girls suffering from depression and mental health break-down,” he added.

Other motions discussed included girl-child education and social entrepreneurship that all young people desire in times of not going to school.

The House urged the government to establish post-Covid19 recovery measures that will ensure economic transformation for the young people with elements like decent jobs, livelihood and employment opportunities that can all address the growing social-economic disparity between the age groups in the communities.

The House was chaired by Ezra Ambasize, as Speaker and Deputized by Halima Assina.

https://thecooperator.news/ministry-of-education-investigates-alleged-corruption-at-gulu-college-of-health-sciences/

Addressing parliament, Speaker Jacob Oulanyah appealed to the youth leaders to always endeavor to stick to their focus in executing their duties. He said this would help guide them and produce diligent services.

“In whatever you do, never lose your focus of the interest of the people that sent you. When debating, avoid using statistics, but facts because then you will be speaking from your heart, and that is how we gain support,” Oulanyah said.

The female National Youth Representative in the 11th Parliament, Phiona Nyamutoro was present in the Youth Parliament.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

The post Youth parliament urges government on Covid-19 teenage pregnancies appeared first on The Cooperator News.

Youth parliament urges government on Covid-19 teenage pregnancies

KAMPALA – The Youth Parliament sitting in Kampala has passed three critical motions urging the government on matters of youths in regards to Covid-19 effects, livelihood and social-economic empowerment.

The House that sat Friday in the Chambers of the August House urged the government to prioritize the issues that have grossly affected the youths during the Covid-19 pandemic including teenage pregnancies, girl-child education and social entrepreneurship for the young people.

The motion was moved by Ruth Namutebi, who noted that there are lots of reports indicating high teenage pregnancies due to the closure of schools and other social amenities like churches, and recreation centers, due to Covid-19.

“When we talk about Sexual Reproductive Health and Health Rights, it is important to note that 25% of girls become pregnant by age 19,” she noted.

Namutebi added that defilement and rape cases have tremendously increased with manipulation, cross generational sex, and commercial sex as girls look for money to buy sanitary towels and other needs.

Multiple reports by Civil Society Organizations (CSO) have indicated glaring figures of teenage pregnancies, sex abuse and domestic violence due to the Covid-19 lock down, with Busoga leading the charge in the country.

The Youth Parliament also called on the government to facilitate the formation of safe spaces where girls can access health services, but also freely talk about issues of rape, incest and others that are regarded obscene in the communities they live in.

Another representative, Allan Webare, expressed concern why the men who abuse the girls are let scot free.

“Why do we all focus on the girl and ignore the culprits? The government needs to put up stringent laws so that the men taking advantage of these girls are brought to book,” he demanded.

He also added that the authorities also need to work on the girls’ mind-set that have been corrupted by the social environment in the communities they live in. Many have conceded to the talk that they cannot return to school, especially that they are consumed into parenting challenges and health complications like fistula.

“The government should work out ways to address this with many girls suffering from depression and mental health break-down,” he added.

Other motions discussed included girl-child education and social entrepreneurship that all young people desire in times of not going to school.

The House urged the government to establish post-Covid19 recovery measures that will ensure economic transformation for the young people with elements like decent jobs, livelihood and employment opportunities that can all address the growing social-economic disparity between the age groups in the communities.

The House was chaired by Ezra Ambasize, as Speaker and Deputized by Halima Assina.

https://thecooperator.news/ministry-of-education-investigates-alleged-corruption-at-gulu-college-of-health-sciences/

Addressing parliament, Speaker Jacob Oulanyah appealed to the youth leaders to always endeavor to stick to their focus in executing their duties. He said this would help guide them and produce diligent services.

“In whatever you do, never lose your focus of the interest of the people that sent you. When debating, avoid using statistics, but facts because then you will be speaking from your heart, and that is how we gain support,” Oulanyah said.

The female National Youth Representative in the 11th Parliament, Phiona Nyamutoro was present in the Youth Parliament.

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